Attachment for tongs



1%. 18, 1947. AM A WS' 2,415,898

ATTACHMENT FOR TONGS Filed April 1-4, 1945- sheets-sheet 1 ATTORNEY f Patented F eb. 18, 1947 UNITED STATES'PATENT OFFICE ATTACHMENT FOR TONGS Luther A. Meadows, Portland, Oreg. Application April 14, 1945, Serial No. 588,297

r This invention relates generally to the logging industry and particularly to an attachment for tongs such as are used for handling logs.

The main object of this invention is to equip a pair of tongs with an attachment whereby the labor of disengaging the tongs from a log will be greatly minimized and much time will be saved thereby.

The second object is to so construct the device that the power line which handles the tongs is also used for the purpose of spreading or opening the tongs in order to release the tongs from the log.

The third object is to so construct the attachment that it will make it possible to free the tongs without unnecessary tearing or injuring the log.

The fourth object is to so construct the device that it will be easy to manufacture, light in weight, and not easily rendered inoperative by the abuse to which such devices are commonly subjected.

I accomplish these and other objects in a-manner set forth in the following specification as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the device showin the tongs attached to a log and in position to be released therefrom.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing one ,of the tong hooks withdrawn from the log.

Fig. 5 is a section taken along the line 55 in' Fig. 4.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring in detail to the drawings, there is shown a log it! which is engaged by the tong hooks H and I2, whose arms l3 and M are hingedly connected by means of the bolt I 5, under whose head It is formed the enlarged shoulder H. The threaded end 3 is provided with a nut I9. The arm It has extending therefrom a, lever 20 and the arm l3 has extending therefrom a lever 2!. The lever 20 has mounted on the end thereof a shackle 22, which is mounted on the bolt 23, which in turn passes through the shackle 22. The shackle 22 has formed thereon a crank arm 24, which is threaded to receive the shouldered bolt 25, on which is disposed the roller 26.

The shackle 21 is connected to the lever 2| by means of the ordinary bolt 28. .A clevis 29 passes through both the shackles 22' and 21 and 2 Claims. (01. 294-106) is attached to a power line 30 by means of a bolt 3|, and extends to a suitable power driven cable winding mechanism (not shown).

On the shoulder I! is pivotally mounted a plate 32 having an operating lever 33 extending therefrom, the lever 33 having an elongated slot 34 adapted to receive the bolt 25 and to be rocked thereby as the shackle 22 is moved by means of the shackle 29. The plate 32 is provided with a thickened surface 35, which extends to the arcuate edge 36. The thickened surface 35 has formed therein a plurality of holes 37 adapted to receive the removal pin 38, in whose eye 39 is secured a cap 40 or other fastening means. The pin 38 is sufficiently long to extend alongside of the lever 2 I.

The operation of the device is as follows. Assuming that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1 and it is desired to release the tong arms 13 and M, the operator merely inserts the pin 38 into one of the holes 31 nearest the adjacent face of the lever 2i and proceeds to subject the shackle 22 to a pull from the power line 30 in the direction indicated by the arrow 4|. This pull will move the shackle 22 to the position shown in Fig. 4 and the crank arm 24 will be moved accordingly since it is integral with the shackle 22, exerting a thrust against the lever 33. The lever 33, however, can move no further than permitted by the pin 38 coming into engagement with the lever 2|, which in turn is a part of the arm l3, which in turn, is securely held between the log I0 and an adjacent log 42. The only possible reaction then is to move the lever 20 downwardly. That is to say, it moves the hook l2 outwardly after which the operator can take a hitch around the arm M with the line 30, or he is free to swing the point l2 longitudinally in relation to the log until he has freed the point I I.

It is obvious that the movement would take place on the member I4 under a condition shown in Fig. 1. If the member 14 is bound by a log or otherwise, then the member I3 would be first to move and to be disengaged. In some instances, both sides of the hook might be released simultaneously.

It will be seen that not only is it possible to free one of the hooks but the hooks may be held apart while power is applied and the opened tongs swung laterally to free the tong point without tearing the log.

It can be seen that the hooks can be locked used for rolling logs.

It can be seen from the foregoing that numerous modifications can be made in the details of on the shackle 22, and other details. Such minor changes are of course well within the range of the appended claims, in which I claim:

1. A pair of tongs including intersecting hooks hingedly joined between the ends thereof, the ends of said tongs opposite said hooks constituting operating levers, a shackle connected to each of said levers, one of said shackles having a, crank arm thereon and means for exerting a thrust from said crank arm upon the opposite lever when the shackle of said crank arm .is moved laterally, whereby a lateral movement of said shackle will cause said tong hooks to be moved apart.

2. A device of the class described, havin in combination a pair of tongs, a pivot bolt uniting said tongs, a plate adapted to be mounted on said pivot bolt, said plate having a plurality of holes formed therethrough, a pin insertable through said holes adapted to act as a stop against one of said tong members, said plate having a slot formed therein, one of said tongs having a shackle provided with a crank arm adapted to engage said slot whereby a lateral movement of said crank arm shackle will move said pin into engagement with one of said tong members and the reaction thereof to move the opposite tong member in the opposite direction.

LUTHER A. MEADOWS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,247,662 Geist Nov. 27, 1917 1,621,650 Angel Mar. 22, 1927 1,782,326 Tornquist Nov. 18, 1930 1,900,179 Geist Mar. 7, 1933 

